Structure of cargo nets and the like



July 11, 1961 w. J. HIGGINS STRUCTURE OF CARGO NETS AND THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 10, 1958 Vii-M 4.

7 Nays ly 11, 1961 w. J. HIGIGINS 2,991,539

STRUCTURE OF CARGO NETS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 10, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 AF M /z9a 2/ 22 INVENTOR. WLL/AM I Eqqnvs July 11, 1961 w. J. HIGGINS STRUCTURE OF CARGO NETS AND THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 10, 1958 r l l l I I II INVENTOR.

Mum/v f [1799mm BY 4 July 11, 1961 w. J. HIGGINS STRUCTURE OF CARGO NETS AND THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 10, 1958 m m N ma fl M/m /u L 9 United States Patent 2,991,539 STRUCTURE OF CARGO NETS AND THE LIKE William J. Higgins, 12 Capp St., Carteret, NJ.

Filed Feb. 10, 1958, Ser. No. 714,446 6 Claims. (Cl. 28-78) (Granted under Title 35, U.S. Code (1952), sec. 266) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of royalties thereon or therefor.

This invention pertains to nets, and particularly to cargo nets in which cargo is carried when it is hoisted into or out of a ship.

Strands of nets embodying the present invention comprise flat fabric strip. A frame borders the net continuously around its edge to define a predetermined area containing a mesh. The mesh comprises transverse strands that intersect strands running lengthwise. Each mesh strand intersects the border at each of its opposite ends, where an attachment secures the mesh strand to the border.

The border comprises strands that extend along the edges of the net, and are interrupted at predetermined intervals along the border by hoisting links. Such links can be engaged by the hook of a hoisting engine that draws the edges of the net together to lift it. A predetermined number of mesh strands intersect the border strands beween adjacent links along the border.

Strands of the border also comprise flat fabric strip. The several mesh and border strands are extended flat in the surface that is defined by the net in spread condition. Wherever strands intersect each other, flat fabric strip of the intersecting strands are positioned in face-to-face engagement with each other.

For attachment of strands to each other at intersections, slots are provided at predetermined intervals along the strand material in accordance with the pattern of the mesh, each slot consisting of opposed plies of fabric strip positioned face-to-face in the strand. At each intersection, the strands are held at the angle of intersection by one strand being contained in the slot of the intersecting strand flat between the plies of the slot.

In the mesh, along any mesh strand, intersections are alternated to constitute the strand in the slot of an intersecting strand and containing at each of next adjacent intersections in opposite directions the intersecting strand in its slots. This structure is self-locking. The tendency of the slot of any mesh strand to become displaced along an intersecting strand is barred at the next intersection in either direction along the intersecting strand, because there a slot of the intersecting strand contains the intersecting strand of its intersection. Thus a slot of an intersection cannot move along its intersecting strand further than its next adjacent intersection. In addition, when a net contains a cargo and is under load, tension is applied to the several strands of the mesh, which tends to position intersections according to their location in the pattern of the mesh. Accordingly, it is not essential that intersections be held positioned in accordance with their respective location in the pattern of the mesh by securing intersecting strands to each other, with sewed stitches for example.

Under preferred practice, flat fabric strip is woven multi-ply to consist of separated plies constituting the several slots appropriately located along the strand. Between the slots, the warp yarns are woven integral to constitute a single thickness of fabric strip with the additive strength between slot intervals of the two separated plies that constitute the slots.

It is also desired to use the same strand material as the mesh strands in border strands, and to provide sevice eral thicknesses of strand material in the border throughout the peripheral extent of the frame, for added strength in the frame. At any intersection of a mesh strand at its respective opposite ends with the border, attachment of the mesh strand to the border strand is by one strand being positioned flat in an appropriately located slot of the other strand. This attachment preferably includes the strand material of one strand in the slot of its intersecting strand in several of the strand thicknesses of the border, and more particularly the mesh strand in the slot of one strand thickness of the border and containing another strand thickness of the border in its slot. Accordingly, the mesh strand is folded along the outer edge of the frame to constitute two bites or legs of the mesh strand extending away from the fold inwardly of the area of net from its border. The fold of the mesh strand bearing against the outer edge of the frame affords added strength for carrying the load of cargo contained in the net.

For a more thorough understanding of the invention, attention is directed to the accompanying drawings, in which- FIG. 1 is a perspective of the net of the present invention embodied in a cargo net,

' FIG. 2 is a face view of the net of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a detail of a modification of the net of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view showing a detail of the net of the invention,

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-section taken on line's-5 of FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-section taken on line 66 of FIG. 4,

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-section taken on line 77 of FIG. 3,

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-section illustrating a preferred weaving pattern for strand material of the net,

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view showing an alternative structure of strand material embodied in the net, and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view showing another alternative structure of the net.

A cargon net embodying the present invention, as seen in FIG. 1, comprises a mesh 11 of strands and a frame 12 which also comprises strands, and which define the area of the net.

In the disclosed embodiment, as seen in FIG. 2, the net is fiat, and also rectangular, with the strands of frame 12 defining the several edges of the rectangle. The contour of the net may be other than flat. Thedisclosed net is square, but rectangularity of the net is not essential for practice of principles of the invention.

Frame 12 is continuous peripherally of the area of the net, and comprises hoisting links 15 at predetermined intervals along the border. With the net positioned on a flat surface, cargo is placed in the net, preferably near its center. The several hoisting links 15 are then attached to the hook 16 of any suitable hoisting engine, which lifts the net containing the cargo 17, as seen in FIG. 1.

Mesh 11 is of predetermined pattern, consisting of flexible strands 18 which intersect each other at intervals determined by the pattern of the mesh, strands 18 being spaced apart a predetermined distance according to the pattern of the mesh. Each mesh strand extends in the area of the net from border to border thereof, and intersects frame 12 at each of its opposite ends to form together a lattice of mesh strands.

Frame 12 comprises flexible strand material 19 extending between each of adjacent hoisting links 15' to which it is attached to constitute a continuous frame 12 peripherally of the area of the net. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the strand material 19 of frame, 12 is extended to constitute the hoisting links 15 also; and extends continuously throughout the periphery of the I 3 net to define the border thereof. In one embodiment, the strand material is the same in both the frame 12 and the mesh '11, with the frame consisting of several thicknesses of strand material to provide. the desired strength of the frame. p

-Mesh 18 and border strands 19 consist of fiat fabric strips, which are positioned flat in the area of the net. At each intersection between mesh strands 18, as seen in FIGS 4 and the intersecting strands are positioned in flat face-to-face engagement with each other. Also at each intersection of a mesh strand 18 with strand '19 of the border, as seen in FIGS. 4 and 6, the intersecting strands are positioned in fiat face-to-face engagement with each other. Attachments are provided, of which there are several embodiments, which hold the intersecting strands in predetermined desired position of intersection with each other, in accordance with the pattern of the mesh.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, a slot 20 is provided at predetermined intervals along a strand 18, constituting several separated plies25 and 26 of flat fabric strip, the interval of the strand between slots 20 of separated plies being determined by the desired pattern of the mesh. The length of any slot is determined by the width of fiat fabric strip, to enable an intersecting strand to be positioned inside the slot and flat between the plies 25 and 26. Along any given mesh strand -18, intersections are alternated to constitute the intersecting strand positioned in its slot 20 as seen at 21, FIGS. 4 and 5, and at the next adjacent intersection the given strand is positioned in the slot 20 of the intersecting strand as seen at 22. This structure is self-locking. At any intersection 22, a slot 20 of the intersecting strand 18 is able to slide along the given strand -18 of its intersection only as far as the nearest adjacent intersection 21, where the given strand contains the intersecting strand in its slot 20, and the intersecting strand presents a transverse barrier.

Mesh strands 18 of a net carrying the load of a cargo 17 are under tension, and this tension inhibits the tendency of a slot 20 to slide along an intersecting strand 18, the strands 18 thus being inhibited from being displaced excessively with reference to each other out of their relative positions according to the predetermined pattern of the mesh.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the preferred structure of strand 18 is an integrally woven fabric of which a predetermined half of the warp yarns 23 are woven with weft yarns 24 to constitute the ply 25, which is separate from the ply 26 consisting of weft yarns 27 woven with the remaining half of warp yarns 23. Separated plies are woven to a length corresponding with the desired width of a slot 20. At intervals between slots 20, all warp yarns 23 are woven into a single thickness of fabric 50 comprising the two plies 25 and '26.

The woven structure of FIG. 8 eliminates the need of sewed stitches. A similar result can be attained in alternative structure of several thicknesses of fabric strip 28 sewed to each other in face-to-face relationship as seen in FIG. 9, by means of sewed stitches 29 at intervals between intersections at 30 and 31. The intersections 30 and 31 can be alternated along each mesh strand of fabric strip 28, in a manner similar to respective intersections 21 and 22 in the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3 as described hereinbefore. The woven structure of FIG. 8 is preferred, however, because the tendency of a strand of strips 28 in the slot of an intersecting strand of strips 28 to shift along the intersecting strand when under the load of a cargo tends to cut the sewed stitches 29 that holds the strips 28 sewed to each other, and thus tends to disrupt the mesh pattern of the net and destroy the net.

'It may be desired to prevent all shifting between intersecting strands 18 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, as shown in the modification of FIG. 10. In the process of forming the mesh 11, after the alternations of intersections 21 and 22 are completed throughout the mesh as described hereinbefore, the four thicknesses of slot plies 25 and 26 of the two intersecting strands 18 at each intersection are secured to each other by sewed stitches 32. What ever added strength is gained from sewed stitches 32, strength is not the primary factor, but sewing at intersections is desired for cargoes consisting of smaller pieces that can work through the mesh of the net.

In the process of forming a mesh 11, much time is saved by marking slots 20, which is done as seen in FIG. 4 by means of distinctively colored individual warp yarns 33, which are positioned at spaced intervals of yarns 23 transversely of the warp according to the desired position of the mark. In either or both separated plies 25 and 26 that form a slot 20, a distinctively colored warp yarn 33 is so woven to appear at intervals along the outer surface of its ply, and in the integral fabric 50 of all warp yarns 23, the distinctively colored warp yarns 33 are so woven in intervals between slots 20 of separated plies 25 and 26 to be hidden from view in the interior of the fabric, and out of sight away from the outside surface.

Strands 19 of frame 12 in FIG. 2 are the same structure and quality as mesh strands 18, and comprise slots 20 of separated plies 25 and 26 which are spaced apart the same as in the mesh strands. This adds to uniformity of production standards. .The rectangular structure of the net that appears in FIG. 2 is particularly adaptable to employing the integrally woven strand material as is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 8. Mesh strands 18 are positioned adjacently parallel, and the mesh strands intersect border strands 19 at equidistant intervals along any side of the net rectangle.

Several thicknesses of strand 19 provide added strength in frame 12. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, strand material 19 is extended continuously throughout several circuits of the border of the net, including the several hoisting links 15 at the respective several corners of the net rectangle. At each intersection of a mesh strand 18 with the border of strand 19, an attachment 34 is provided. Such attachment 34 consists of an interlock in each of several thicknesses of border strand 19 constituting one intersecting strand in a slot 20 of the other, the several interlocks of an attachment 34 being alternated in the respective several border thicknesses.

The specific structure of FIG. 2, as seen also in FIG. 6, consists of a thickness of border strand 19 positioned in a slot 20 of each of successive mesh strands 18 throughout the peripheral extent of frame 12, defining a first course of flat fabric stn'p constituting the lower thickness 35 of frame 12 as seen in FIG. 6. Each mesh strand 18 then is positioned in a slot 20 of the upper thickness 36, extending inwardly of the net area from its bordering frame 12 to constitute a second leg of mesh strand 1-8 with its fold 37 located along the outer edge of the frame. Thus, the upper thickness 36 defines a second course of fiat fabric strip extending throughout the peripheral extent of frame 12. .The upper leg in FIG. 6 of mesh strand 18 is extended far enough to prevent it from pulling out of the slot 20 of strand 19 in which it is contained, and is terminated at the cut end '38.

The load of cargo 17 in the net hanging from hook 16 in FIG. 1 is carried by the folds 37 of the several mesh strands 18 hearing against strand material 19 along the outer edge of frame 12. Added strength of the attachments '34 between the respective several mesh strands 18 and frame 12 as described is derived from the several folds 37 of mesh strands bearing along the outer edge of frame 12. This structure could carry the load without sewed stitches.

Relative displacement between mesh strands 18 and border strands 19 in the several attachments 34, which manipulation of the net in its normal continuous use could cause, is prevented by means of sewed stitches 39, FIG. 4, in each attachment 34, securing the plies 25 and 26 to each other face-to-face as positioned in FIG. 6. At least four plies of two thicknesses of border strand 19 and at least four plies of two folds of mesh strand 18 are provided. Sewed stitches 40 secure the several thicknesses of border strand 19 to each other face-to-face, in intervals between adjacent mesh strands at attachments 34, including the several thicknesses of border strand in each of the several hoisting links 15. The several legs of each mesh strand 18 at its attachment 34 to frame 12 also are secured to each other face-to-face by means of sewed stitches 41 between the inner edge of frame 12 and the strand termination of cut end 33.

It will be observed that the woven strand structure of FIG. 8 is particularly adaptable to the rectangular net structure of FIGS. 2 and 3. Separated plies 25 and 25 are woven to lengths according to the width of the woven fabric to fit flat in slots 25. The intervals of integrally woven strand 50 between lengths of separated plies 25 and 26 is woven to lengths determined by the pattern of the mesh, which also determines the distance between adjacent mesh strands along border strand 1.9. For different mesh patterns, or for net contours other than fiat, or for net areas other than rectangular as seen in FIG. 2, the net structure of FIG. 9 may be preferred.

When a net is being loaded with cargo 17, it is preferred that the cargo be placed at the center of the net area, to avoid tumbling the cargo to the bottom of the net while it is being lifted by means of hook 15, FIG. 1. In the net of FIG. 2, predetermined mesh strands 18a are distinctively colored, and are positioned in the net at predetermined intervals of mesh strand 18 to mark a centrally located area of the net visibly. By the cargo being placed in the central area of the net that is bounded by distinctively marked mesh strands 18, lifting the net by means of hook 16 will not tumble the cargo excessively.

FIG. 3 discloses a modification of the net of FIG. 2 comprising metal hoisting links 42 instead of the hoisting links of strand material 19. A length at least as long as twice the distance between adjacent links 42 is positioned through both of the adjacent links, and between links is positioned in a slot of each of successive mesh strands 18, forming the lower thickness of border strand as seen in FIG. 7. The border strand 19 is now folded at each link 42 to form a second thickness of border strand between links, and each of successive mesh strands 18 is folded up and is positioned in a slot 20 of the upper thickness of border strand in FIG. 7. Attachments 43 between each mesh strand 18 and the border strands 19 are produced thereby, which are similar to attachments 34 in the embodiment of FIG. 2. In the manner disclosed in FIG. 4, the several plies and 26 of each of two thicknesses of border strand 19 and two legs of a folded mesh strand 18 can be secured to each other face-to-face by means of sewed stitches such as 39. Between adjacent attachments 43, the several thicknesses of border strand 19 can be secured to each other face-to-face by means of sewed stitches such as 40. The several legs of a mesh strand at an attachment 43 can be secured to each other face-to-face by means of sewed stitches such as 41.

As seen in FIG. 3, a border strand 19 of each of adjacent sides of the net rectangle are positioned in each metal link 42, and the frame 44 of the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 7 thereby is extended continuously throughout the periphery of the net area.

The net structure of the present invention as disclosed is not limited to use as a cargo net. For example, several nets as seen in FIG. 2 can be secured to each other edgeto-edge, and thereby extended to provide a net area of any desired size. Nets of the invention can be used as flexible outboard staging, or dropped along the side of a ship to constitute a scaling ladder. By reason of its several alternative uses, which under prior art practice required equipment of specialized construction, the cost of equipping a ship for meeting conditions that might be expected at sea is greatly reduced. The net of the present invention is lighter that prior art nets of comparable utility and strength. It is possible to fold the present net into a smaller space, reducing stowage space, and allowing more space for pay load, as also increased pay load.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

I claim:

l. A cargo net comprising a plurality of flat fabric strips having a multiplicity of slots each providing an opening transverse the length of said strips, a first plurality of said strips being laid in parallel, a second plurality of said strips being laid in parallel normal to said first strips, first and second strips alternately passing through slots of said second and first strips to form a substantially rectangular interlaced mesh, and a frame strip, said frame strip comprising a first course of such flat fabric strip passing successively through slots of said first, then said second, then said first and then said second strips to define a rectangular border, said frame strip then providing a second course of such flat fabric strip lapping said first course, each of said first and second strips being doubled back through a slot of said second lapping course and upon itself.

2. The combination of claim 1 in which the end of each strip is secured upon a portion of its strip by stitchmg.

3. The combination of claim 2 in which selected interlaces of strips are stitched together.

4. The combination of claim 2 in which each interlace of strips is stitched together and said first and second courses are stitched together.

5. The combination of claim 2 in which said frame strip defines a loop at each corner of the rectangle formed.

6. A cargo net comprising a plurality of flat fabric strips having a multiplicity of slots each providing an opening transverse the length of said strips, a first plurality of said strips being laid in parallel, a second plurality of said strips being laid in parallel normal to said first strips, first and second strips alternately passing through slots of said second and first strips to form a substantially rectangular interlaced mesh, and a frame strip secured to each end of each plurality of strips, said frame strip comprising a first course of such fiat fabric strip, passing successively through slots of its plurality of strips and a second course of such fiat fabric strip, the slots of which are passed through by each strip of said plurality of strips as each strip is doubled back upon itself.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS France Sept. 21, 1936 

